Draft Army Handbook Wades Into Divisive Afghan Issue

By

Dion Nissenbaum

Updated Dec. 11, 2012 12:12 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON—American soldiers should brace for a "social-cultural shock" when meeting Afghan soldiers and avoid potentially fatal confrontations by steering clear of subjects including women's rights, religion and Taliban misdeeds, according to a controversial draft of a military handbook being prepared for troops heading to the region.

The proposed Army handbook suggests that Western ignorance of Afghan culture, not Taliban...